Briefs

An acclaimed architect was sentenced Monday to six months in prison for hiding nearly 13 pounds of cocaine in his minivan's battery before trying to enter the U.S.

A federal judge ordered the unusually light punishment after Eugenio Velazquez claimed drug traffickers threatened to kill him if he refused to carry the cocaine.

Velazquez, 51, embraced his smiling wife, daughters and supporters outside court after being told to report to prison Jan. 11 to begin a the sentence in federal custody, followed by six more months of home confinement. U.S. District Judge Thomas Whelan said the ability of Velazquez to verify threats against him was crucial to the reduced sentence.

CALIFORNIA

Gunman gave no warning

The gunman who killed four family members on a rural Indian reservation in California had reported thefts to police and once was accused of driving under the influence with his children in the car, authorities said Monday.

But police had no indication that Hector Celaya, 31, would kill his mother, two uncles and a daughter on the Tule River Indian Reservation on Saturday night, tribal police chief Mike Blain said.

Blain said the DWI claim against Celaya was part of a child custody dispute and was determined to be without merit. He did not elaborate on the theft claims.

Two of Celaya's other children were wounded in the shooting.

COLORADO

Recreational use of pot affirmed

Using marijuana for recreational use now effectively is legal in Colorado.

Gov. John Hickenlooper declared a voter-approved marijuana legalization amendment as part of the state constitution Monday. It was the last procedural step needed for the amendment to take effect.

Hickenlooper, a Democrat, opposed the measure but had no veto power over the voter-approved amendment to the state constitution.

Adults over 21 in Colorado now may possess up to an ounce of marijuana or six plants. Commercial sale of the drug remains illegal until Colorado lawmakers set up a system of regulation and taxation next year. Public use of marijuana use is not allowed.